Medway Council has announced it will not not be following the example set by a parish council in the South West who are going to charge a local running group for the use of its park.

Chatham MP and sports minister Tracey Crouch has spoken out against Stoke Gifford parish council’s decision to charge a parkrun group.

It will become the first council to charge a fee for the weekly event which aims to be free and open to everyone.

Miss Crouch said the decision is “contrary to the government’s sports strategy and creates a barrier to participation”.

She added: “Good councils recognise the value of investment in sport and leisure on other more expensive budgets.”

Stoke Gifford parish council said it was “unfair” to expect non-running residents to pay for path maintenance.

Medway’s parkrun sees about 250 adults and children take part in the free timed runs at the Great Lines Heritage Park on Saturday and at the Strand on Sundays.

The Great Lines run started in September 2013 with 144 participants and now an average of 200 tackle the 5k course every Saturday.

Medway Council confirmed this week that it has no plans to start charging the group for using the parks.